Louie Varland Being Stretched Out As Starter

The Minnesota Twins are planning to stretch right-hander Louie Varland out as a starter in camp, although he could still be moved back to the bullpen at some point. To help him try and lock down a starting role in 2024, the 26-year-old has been working on improving his two-seam fastball and his slider. He […]

Kutter Crawford Working On Splitter

Boston Red Sox right-hander Kutter Crawford is working on a split-finger fastball in spring training that he's hoping will better complement his existing arsenal. "All my stuff is moving glove side, away from righties and into lefties. The splitter would open up the other side of the plate," Crawford said. The 27-year-old began eventually settled […]

Justyn-Henry Malloy Vying For One Of Final Roster Spots

Detroit Tigers outfielder Justyn-Henry Malloy gives the team the most offensive potential for the final bench spot to open the 2024 regular season, as he had a .417 on-base percentage at Triple-A Toledo last year. He's now focusing exclusively on playing outfield rather than spending time at third base, which could severely hurt his chances […]

Ezequiel Duran To Spend More Time At Third Base

Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said that infielder Ezequiel Duran will now spend more time at third base and the infield as a whole than in the outfield with starting third baseman Josh Jung (calf) out for two to three weeks with a calf strain suffered in Friday. The team's No. 6 prospect, Justin Foscue, […]

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. In Better Shape?

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been working out with personal trainer Nicole Gabriel for much of the winter, and by the looks of images and videos posted to her Instagram account, Guerrero's results are impressive, according to the Toronto Sun's Rob Longley. "I think there will be some impressed eyes in […]

Montez Sweat Could Use Some Help In Chicago

Most people will be watching to see what the Chicago Bears do at quarterback this offseason, but The Athletic's Kevin Fishbain thinks the team also needs to add pass-rush help opposite Montez Sweat. Sweat made the Pro Bowl in 2023 and was an instant impact player for the Bears after they acquired him from the […]

Bryce Young Needs Weapons On Offense

The Carolina Panthers went 2-15 last year and fired both their head coach and general manager. They have all kinds of needs this offseason, but The Athletic's Joe Person thinks that their biggest priority should be getting young quarterback Bryce Young some help in the passing game. DJ Chark Jr. ranked in the bottom 10 […]

Bills Need To Give Stefon Diggs Help

The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia believes that the wide receiver position is the Buffalo Bills' biggest need heading into the new league year in 2024. The Bills will still have quarterback Josh Allen and receiver Stefon Diggs, but the second half of last year yielded a lack of consistent explosive plays on offense and capped some […]

Ravens Need To Address Their Offensive Line

The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec believes that offensive line is the Baltimore Ravens' biggest need heading into the new league year and the 2024 NFL draft. Both starting guards Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson will be unrestricted free agents, and their two starting tackles, Ronnie Stanley and Morgan Moses, are 29 and 32, respectively, and are […]

Steelers Appear To Have Internal Division Over QB Position

The Pittsburgh Steelers will head into the 2024 season with the idea that quarterback Kenny Pickett, who has gone 14-10 so far, will be their No. 1 QB. However, they also won't go in with the same hope they had this time last year when they were encouraged by how Pickett finished his rookie season […]

Chase Anderson Agrees With Pirates On Minor-League Contract

Free-agent right-hander Chase Anderson agreed with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday on a minor-league deal that includes an invitation to major-league spring training, according to a source. Anderson will be in camp with the Bucs this year looking to win a roster spot for the start of the 2024 regular season. The 36-year-old veteran hasn't […]

White Sox Agree With Bryan Shaw On Minors Pact

The Chicago White Sox agreed to terms on a minor-league deal with an invitation to major-league spring training with free-agent right-hander Bryan Shaw on Saturday. Shaw returns to the White Sox after recording a 4.14 ERA (3.87 FIP), a 1.23 WHIP, a career-high four saves, 17 walks and 40 strikeouts in 45 2/3 relief innings […]

Nationals Sign Zach Davies To Minor-League Deal

The Washington Nationals signed free-agent right-hander Zach Davies to a minor-league deal with an invitation to big-league spring training on Saturday. The 31-year-old veteran has been in the big leagues for nine years and has a career 4.36 ERA. He spent the last two seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks, going 4-10 with a 5.19 ERA […]

Sal Frelick Working Out On The Infield

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick has been working out at second and third base this offseason under the tutelage of former big-league second baseman Dustin Pedroia. Frelick rated as an above-average defender in both right and center field in his rookie season in 2023, but he's adding to his versatility in camp. The arrival of […]

Brayan Bello Has New-And-Improved Slider

Boston Red Sox right-hander Brayan Bello worked with Pedro Martinez this offseason and has come to camp with a new-and-improved slider that could lead to a significant step forward for the young pitcher in 2024. The 24-year-old could be Boston's most talented starter, and he feels the new slider can be his key third pitch […]

Byron Buxton Says He's Fully Healthy

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (knee) said he is fully healthy heading into the 2024 season, which has put his mind at ease. He said he expects a normal buildup this spring as he prepares to return to center field for the Twins. "The pain's gone, so I'm a lot more happy. 100 percent. 100 […]

Royals Acquire John Schreiber From Red Sox

The Kansas City Royals acquired right-handed reliever John Schreiber from the Boston Red Sox on Saturday in exchange for minor-league right-hander David Sandlin, according to sources. Schreiber, 29, missed almost two months in 2023 due to a shoulder strain and finished the year with a 3.86 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, one save, 25 walks and 53 […]

Randal Grichuk Agrees To One-Year Deal With Diamondbacks

Free-agent outfielder Randal Grichuk and the Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to a one-year, $2 million deal that includes a mutual option for the 2025 season on Saturday, according to sources. The deal will pay Grichuk $1.5 million in 2024, and the option is worth $6 million with a $500,000 buyout and performance bonuses included. At best, […]

Josh Jung Out A Couple Weeks With Calf Strain

Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (calf) will miss a couple weeks after being diagnosed with a left-calf strain. Jung had discomfort in his calf while working out at spring training on Friday and will now miss the next several weeks, but it remains to be seen if this injury will put the 26-year-old in […]

David Dahl Signs Minor-League Deal With Phillies

Free-agent outfielder David Dahl agreed to a minor-league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday, pending a physical. Dahl played in only four games at the major-league level in 2023 with the San Diego Padres before inking a minors pact with the Los Angeles Dodgers in June. The 29-year-old former first-round pick played in 54 […]

Shane Baz Targeting Late-Summer Return

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Shane Baz (elbow) threw his first bullpen session of spring training on Friday and said it went "great." Baz is being brought along slowly in camp after having Tommy John surgery in September of 2022, and he's targeting a late-summer return to the Rays pitching staff after not pitching at all […]

Ji Man Choi Agrees To Split Contract With Mets

Free-agent first baseman Ji Man Choi signed a split contract with the New York Mets on Friday that is worth up to $3.5 million, including performance-based bonuses if he makes the Opening Day roster. The deal includes an invite to spring training. The 32-year-old left-handed-hitting South Korean started the 2023 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates […]

Daniel Vogelbach, Blue Jays Agree To Minors Deal

Free-agent designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach and the Toronto Blue Jays agreed to a minor-league deal on Friday, according to sources familiar with the contract. Vogelbach will receive a non-roster invite to spring training. The 31-year-old veteran left-handed slugger spent last season playing for the New York Mets, where he hit .233/339/.404 with 13 home runs, […]

Keston Hiura Heads To Detroit

Free-agent infielder Keston Hiura signed an undisclosed deal with the Detroit Tigers on Friday. Hiura, once a former top prospect of the Milwaukee Brewers, will likely be joining the Tigers in spring training as a non-roster invite. The 27-year-old came up as a second baseman but was eventually moved to first base in Milwaukee. He […]

Chiefs Pick Up Chris Jones' Option

The Kansas City Chiefs picked up the option on All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones' contract on Friday, according to sources, retaining the right to franchise tag him while paying him $4.25 million that he earned in incentives in 2023. Jones was already due the money, and if he's not franchise-tagged in 2024, he'll become a […]

Orioles Claim Diego Castillo Off Waivers From Phillies

The Baltimore Orioles claimed infielder/outfielder Diego Castillo off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday and designated infielder Livan Soto for assignment in a corresponding move. Castillo continues to be passed around the league this offseason, as the Orioles mark the fifth different team he's been with this offseason alone. The 26-year-old Venezuelan is hoping […]

Alec Bohm Wins Arbitration Over Phillies

Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm won his salary arbitration hearing over the team on Thursday and will make $4 million in 2024 instead of the $3.4 million that the Phillies proposed. This was Bohm's first year of arbitration eligibility after he slashed .274/.327/.437 with a career-high 20 home runs, 31 doubles, a career-high 97 […]

Blake Treinen, Daniel Hudson On Track To Be Ready

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that relievers Blake Treinen (shoulder), Daniel Hudson (knee) and J.P. Feyereisen (shoulder) are all tracking to be on the active roster to kick off the season in a two-game series against the division-rival San Diego Padres in Korea. Roberts said Hudson is still working through some execution stuff […]

Justin Foscue Working Out At First Base In Camp

Texas Rangers infielder Justin Foscue is focusing on first base in spring training this year. Foscue is blocked at second base by Marcus Semien, so the 24-year-old is working at first base in spring training in order to give him more versatility and a better path to playing time in 2024. He'll be with the […]

Tyler Kinley, Justin Lawrence To Compete For Closer Role

Colorado Rockies pitchers Tyler Kinley and Justin Lawrence are set to battle for the team's closer role in spring training. "We'll talk and as this spring progresses, those conversations will tighten up about role expectations," manager Bud Black said. Kinley saved five games down the stretch in September last year after returning from Tommy John […]